Lodging Tax (tourism promotion) grant application

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners uses lodging tax funds to award grants to nonprofits and governmental organizations whose programs or activities promote tourism in the unincorporated areas of Lewis County.

"Tourism promotion," as defined in RCW 67.28.080, means activities, operations and expenditures designed to increase tourism, including but not limited to advertising, publicizing or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating tourism promotion agencies; and funding the marketing of or the operation of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

To view an overview about the Lodging Tax, click here.

WHO CAN APPLY

Lodging tax grants are reimbursement-only grants. Entities that may apply for Lodging Tax funding include:

  • Convention and visitors’ bureaus;
  • Destination marketing organizations;
  • Nonprofits, including main street organizations, lodging associations, or chambers of commerce; and
  • Municipalities (defined as any city, town or county).

WHAT FUNDING CAN BE USED FOR

The entities listed above can use the funding for the following:

  • Tourism marketing.
  • Marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.
  • Operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by municipalities or public facilities districts, including repayment of general obligation bonds or revenue bonds for eligible capital projects; or
  • Operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations (but not capital expenditures for nonprofit organizations).


LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

As outlined in RCW 67.28.1817, Lewis County relies on a group of volunteers to review the grant applications and make funding recommendations. That group -- the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee -- must include at least two representatives from businesses required to collect the lodging tax ("providers"), at least two people involved in activities authorized to be funded by the lodging tax ("users"), and one elected official from the jurisdiction to serve as chair. Current membership is as follows:

Elected official

  • Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer (non-voting member)

"Provider" representatives

  • Ryan Southard
  • Brett Burrows
  • Harry Bhagwandin

"User" representatives

  • Di Morgan
  • Stevan Mayer
  • Jessica Scogin

TO APPLY

Lodging tax grants are awarded annually. For the application for 2026 funding, please click here. (Please note the deadlines associated with the application process.)

QUESTIONS?

For questions about lodging taxes or the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, please call 360-740-1120 or send an email to tourism@lewiscountywa.gov.